The Boys Lacked In Basics

The series is now lost after India's defeat in Amritsar.But our players cannot afford to lose heart for the simple reason that there isstill one more match to go.

In international hockey, every single game counts, notbecause of statistics but for the morale of the players involved in it. For thatreason alone, Indian players need to regroup themselves and get down to the taskin Hyderabad for the last game.

By now, we all know that this team is full ofyoungsters, many of whom are likely to do duty for the Indian junior side in theWorld Cup next year in Rotterdam. Maybe that is what the boys need to focus onand think about.

For the present, the weaknesses are there for all tosee. The basics seem to have vanished suddenly. The trapping was below par andthere was no definite plan for the forwards and midfielders.

For Pakistan, there were two fine goals by Sohail Abbasand Rehan Butt and the former has now put his name in the record books with 268goals, moving ahead of previous world record holder Paul Litjens. I can tell youbeating Litjens' record is indeed an honour and Sohail Abbas deserves it.

Though the series has been rather low-key from thestart, the Pakistanis have looked far more resilient and determined for a win.

On the other hand, the Indians have been rather low onmorale. One would have thought that playing at home would bring out the best inthem, but it was not to be. With injuries and absence of key players, India wereactually looking more to contain than score.

Also, the boys were just not on target even when theydid get close. They lacked consistency and apart from the game in Quetta, whichthey won, the Indians have played well only in patches.

I am almost repetitive when I talk about penaltycorners. Our players need to realise that with each passing day, the set-piecesare becoming more and more important. Wasting so many and often without beingable to stop the ball, is not acceptable. They have been paying very heavily forthis lapse.

In the Amritsar match, the Indians defended well in theinitial stages as Viren Rasquinha was well supported by a withdrawn SandeepMichael and Prabodh Tirkey, with the latter having a good match.

Still Pakistan managed to move ahead in the eighthminute, which was a memorable moment for Sohail Abbas, as he got his record withhis trademark shot -- the drag flick.

However, there was drama before Abbas got his record.The two umpires spoke to each other, before deciding that the ball had indeedgone through the net. Pakistan could well experiment a bit in the final match,while India will try and salvage some prestige at Hyderabad.

Rehan Butt, Ghazanfar Ali and Shakeel Abbasi combinedbeautifully and Butt got them the second goal in second half.

India did manage to get one in, when they earned astroke after Ignace Tirkey was checked unfairly. Arjun Halappa converted thestroke. But it did not change India's luck much, as they went on to miss somechances towards the end.

Finally, one word for the crowd. They thronged the GuruNanak Dev University ground. With a full stadium and large numbers outside itand others watching the action on television, I must say there is still a lot ofinterest in the game, even though many critics might feel cricket is erodinghockey's popularity.

All that our boys need to do now is win some morematches and trophies. That is easier said than done, but I must say withconfidence that Indian hockey does have the talent. We only need to harness itwell.

PTI